You, Just You | ongoing

vi. memoriae

vi. memoriae

[ memories ]

The strong dislike he had for Penelope Caldwell really couldn't be expressed into words.

The woman was grating, imposing and most of all, her voice was incredibly shrill.

Victor figured he wouldn't be too upset if he never had to set eyes on her again. But seeing that he was here in the Caldwell's home because he remembered Jenessa's throwaway comment from two days ago, he was prepared.

Unknown to him, Penelope had been planning their wedding, disregarding everything the wedding planner they've hired offered. It wasn't till Jenessa's short comment on her mother taking over everything that he decided to investigate.

Instead of the small intimate setting they've agreed on, Penelope had been pushing and bullying her way for a large circus. And she would have gotten her way if he hadn't stepped in and intervened.

No, only a small intimate gathering of their closest friends and family would be allowed, he'd told her coolly and firmly. No, there will not be a hoard of photographers and reporters allowed. No, there should not be a giant ice sculpture or any ridiculous decorations like that. No, there would be no changes to the venue and theme, anything or everything had to go through their event planner. And lastly, Jenessa will have the final say in her wedding gown and her choice of bridesmaids.

It was safe to say Penelope Caldwell had not been pleased. But of course, not a single word could be uttered from her lips. After all, Victor had the upper hand, or at least, his family's position did.

Much to his well-concealed amusement, he mused that her expression resembled one's face when sucking on a lemon.

He was about to turn down the long hallway that led to the foyer when a soft voice spoke.

"Lord Ashford?"

Victor paused, turning to stare at a teenager who certainly couldn't be older than nineteen.

The girl was tall and lean, dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans and a white long-sleeved shirt with black sneakers adorning her feet. Blonde shoulder length hair framed her oval shaped face and her blue eyes watched him solemnly yet confidently.

One thing that stood out was her accent. The girl's voice had a distinguished lilt, every article pronounced in an upper classed accent, similar to his fiancée.

"Yes?"

"May I speak to you in private?"

He blinked. "Of course."

The girl nodded firmly before heading around the corner, leaving him no choice but to follow after her.

He stepped into a room that he assumed was a library due to its wall high shelves that were filled with books of all colours and sizes.

The girl paused before shutting the doors close. "Forgive my impertinence, considering we haven't been properly introduced before, but I'm here to speak to you about my sister."

"Sister? You must be Lady Lyra, then?"

He'd heard about the younger Caldwell sister, but he'd not seen her before. Unlike Jenessa, she was hardly seen in society circles. But he knew that the youngest Caldwell was well on her way to becoming a renowned physicist.

Never would he have thought the girl in front of him would be Jenessa's sister, but the firm yet subtle challenge in her actions did remind him of his fiancée.